Not only delicious and refreshing, the benefits of apples for health are also unquestionable. The fruit that is commonly consumed by the Indonesian people is known to contain a variety of nutrients that are good for the body.
proverb " an apple a day keeps the doctor away "It turns out that it's not just a myth, but a fact that can be proven true. Apples are known to be low in calories and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium.
Not only that, apples also contain antioxidants, such as flavonoids, and pectin which are good for body health and prevent various diseases. You can eat apples in a variety of ways, either eaten straight, juiced, or made into a fruit salad.
Variety of Benefits Apple for Health
There are several benefits that you can get from eating apples, including:
1. Maintain digestive tract health
Apples are rich in fiber which can smooth bowel movements and prevent constipation. To get these benefits, you are advised to eat apples with the skin, because apple skins contain lots of fiber and antioxidants.
In addition, the pectin content in apples can provide nutrition for good bacteria in the digestive tract, so that it can maintain the smooth digestive function of the body.
2. Maintain heart health and function
Regularly consuming 1-2 apples a day is known to reduce the risk of heart disease. Not only that, eating this fruit can also help the body to lower cholesterol in the blood.
Preventing blockage and inflammation of the walls of the arteries is also one of the benefits of apples. This benefit comes from the content of pectin, phytonutrients, and antioxidants that function to prevent cholesterol from accumulating in the lining of blood vessel walls.
3. Lowering the risk of developing diabetes
Another benefit of apples is to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. The content of finonutrients in apples serves to prevent spikes in blood sugar by stimulating pancreatic cells to produce insulin, inhibiting the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars, and reducing the absorption of sugar.
Antioxidants in apples also play a role in maintaining health and reducing the risk of heart disease complications in diabetics.
4. Maintain brain health
Apples contain antioxidants quercetin and flavonoids that can reduce the death of nerve cells due to aging. The high antioxidant content in apple skin is also known to help memory function and maintain brain health.
A study also revealed that apples have a good effect on lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
5. Lose weight
Some studies show that eating apples 3 times a day can lose weight in just 12 weeks.
The benefits of apples for maintaining weight come from their high water and fiber content, so they can provide a longer full effect, reduce overeating, and launch bowel movements (BAB).
6. Overcoming bad breath
If you have a bad breath problem, you can overcome it by eating apples regularly. Apples contain pectin compounds that can increase the production of saliva to clean the mouth and control the smell of food in the mouth.
Not only bad breath, a study also revealed that apples can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, oral cancer, and breast cancer.
This cancer-preventing effect comes from its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, further research is needed to confirm these benefits.
To get the optimal benefits of apples, choose apples that are fresh and light in color and dense in texture. The nutritional content in apples can be maintained if stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2-4o Celsius.
When you eat apples, make sure not to swallow the seeds. Apple seeds contain cyanide which, when consumed in certain amounts, can be fatal to health.
Also, don't forget to wash and scrub the apple skins under running water to remove any pesticide and wax residues that may still be on the skin's surface.
If you want to know more about the benefits of apples, don't hesitate to consult a doctor. You can also take advantage of the features chat with the doctor in the ALODOKTER application to get information about the benefits of apples for your health.